John Erickson

By LORI POTTER
Hub Staff Writer

KEARNEY - It will take four years of college before Kearney High School senior John Erickson officially meets his goal of being a minister.

Until then, he's developing his ministry skills through church youth group activities and regularly playing "Noah" for residents of Kearney's Northridge Retirement Community.

Although Erickson works 16 to 20 hours a week at Northridge as a dining room server, he's usually there four to eight additional hours to join in activities or bring his 4-H animals for a visit. On one recent Friday afternoon, he brought two rabbits, three lambs and a pig he plans to show this summer at the Buffalo County Fair.

"I LIKE PLAYING pool with the residents," he said about his volunteer time. "I play cards with them after work. ... I'm going to be a minister, and I thought it would be good to get experience working with elderly people. It's kind of what God asks, in helping other people."

Those efforts haven't gone unnoticed by the residents, who nominated him for the Freedom Award in the Youths Who Care Category.

"He's always very conscientious and kind to all," wrote Violet Johnson in one of the nominations. "On 'Pet Day,' he brings his rabbits or chickens from the farm ... On Saturdays, he's here to call bingo, play pool or play cards with the residents. All of us agree that he is a very deserving young fellow."

On the evenings he works in the dining room, Erickson often gives the blessing before the meal is served.

HE SAID THAT because there are different types of people at Northridge, the work and volunteer time have given him experience in adjusting to different personalities.

"If you can brighten their day, you get to see the good side of them," Erickson said.

He also spends a lot of time with the Countryside Christian Church youth group and as a junior leader and president of the Countryside Kids 4-H Club.

He got a slow start in 4-H. He joined just four years ago to do projects on rabbits, poultry, sheep and swine.

"I was in Boy Scouts, and that didn't appeal to me," Erickson said. "I got started with a rabbit, and I had to have more."

Now, his swine project is his favorite. He has a dozen pigs at his home, a farm near Kearney, and plans to take two to the fair.

His father, Tim, is a farmer, and his mother, Kathy, is a special education teacher at Bryant Elementary School in Kearney.

Erickson said his call to be a minister came two years ago at a Christ in Youth summer conference in Bolivar, Mo. His plans are to enroll next fall at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo., and earn a bachelor's degree in Bible and ministry.

"My dad is an elder in the church," he said. "I've just grown up in the church ... I love people and God."

When asked what he hopes to be doing 10 years from now, Erickson said he plans to be a full-time minister in a church.

"I'M THINKING probably in a small town in Nebraska is where I'll end up," he said, adding that there probably will be some kind of missions work along the way, too.

He also expects animals to always be a part of his life.

In addition to having animals as pets or hobbies, "I'll probably end up being a judge, rabbits at least and maybe poultry," Erickson said. "And maybe large animals too."

e-mail to:

lori.potter@kearneyhub.com